Graphics Cards in New Mac Pro May Be User Replaceable

[MacRumors]

It may be technically possible for buyers of the new Mac Pro to replace their graphics cards, according to a report from the French site Mac4Ever. [Google Translate]

The site claims the GPU on the Mac Pro is placed on an independent daughter card with a proprietary connection, which would make sense as it would make warranty-repairs of broken GPUs significantly easier. There is no indication if or when third-party graphics cards could be released for the new Mac Pro, but the new device is scheduled for release in December of this year.

From the Google Translation of Mac4Ever's post:

According to our information, it is possible to change the graphics card in this machine. In fact, the GPU is placed on a daughter card, it is possible to remove and thus replace. As you might expect, Apple uses a proprietary connector (as is the case for SSD array present on the rest of the range). But nothing prevents, on paper, a manufacturer decides to offer compatible models on the market

A similar system is used in the MacBook Air's SSD flash storage. In 2010, Other World Computing released aftermarket SSD upgrades for the MacBook Air, allowing larger SSD options than Apple's 256GB maximum -- for a significant price. The MacBook Air uses a proprietary SSD connector and board, but OWC was able to design replacement storage options for the computer.

Apple did specify that RAM in the new Mac Pro would be user replaceable, but said nothing about the graphics cards. It's likely that the graphics cards, if it's even possible to replace them, would not be an Apple-approved user replaceable part and could affect the product's warranty, much like the aftermarket SSD replacement in the MacBook Air.

Article Link: Graphics Cards in New Mac Pro May Be User Replaceable

 

[jasonxneo]

Yes, finally a user replaceable part that matters!

 

[chrmjenkins]

Doubt it. There's likely a special deal between apple and AMD/nvidia that prevents them from selling on the open market or risk losing their contract.

This isn't just about a firmware flash anymore.

 

[cgk.emu]

Yes, finally a user replaceable part that matters!

Yeah, the last Pro was the same, but how long did it take for a 3rd party to release an "updated" graphics card....? So what if it's replaceable if it takes 4 years to get a new card for the Pro that was out 3 years ago for a PC??

 

[Galatian]

Here is my prediction:

Apple hasn't upgraded the Mac Mini on Tuesday. With them ramping up this huge production chain in the US I would guess they will use the Mac Pro chassis for the upcoming Mac Mini refresh. It will be like the xMac everybody was dreaming about. Standard CPUs but discrete graphic cards (read: not the mobile chips found on the iMac).

 

[Klae17]

The price of the graphic cards will probably be very high anyways, so buying new ones later might not be worth it. It may be better to just buy a new Mac Pro. Let's hope not!

 

[Daremo]

If true, this will be a reason alone to pick this up. I'm hoping more is user replaceable to make it truly upgradable and PRO.

 

[needfx]

one word

nvidia

 

[ryansimmons323]

OWC are probably rubbing their hands together...

 

[Bubba Satori]

Now that's innovation.

 

[skinned66]

I'm sure it'll be just as ridiculously priced as current Apple Mac Pro cards or even more so now that there's a proprietary connector to pay for on top of that EEPROM that would cost a <$1 anywhere else.

 

[gmcalpin]

Doubt it. There's likely a special deal between apple and nvidia that prevents them from selling on the open market or risk losing their contract.

NVIDIA? These are AMD GPUs. Why would NVIDIA sign an agreement with Apple to not supply GPUs for a device that they are not supplying GPUs for?

If it's possible to replace it, it will happen sooner or later.

 

[erigas]

If that's true I'm buying...!!

 

[M-O]

they don't account for the case being welded shut.

 

[chrmjenkins]

NVIDIA? These are AMD GPUs.

Meant to say both. I edited the post. I expect both will have their turn in the Mac Pros. Apple likes to bounce back and forth.

 

[baryon]

What about Thunderbolt graphics cards? Would that be possible? That would mean that any computer with Thunderbolt could use the graphics card, regardless of platform, and it would make a lot more sense than manufacturing a card specifically for just ONE computer.

 

[puelocesar]

It would be cool to have a "gamer" card for the new Mac Pro. I can't find a powerful, beautiful and silent machine for PC gaming :/

 

[okboy]

Doubt it. There's likely a special deal between apple and nvidia that prevents them from selling on the open market or risk losing their contract.

Well, AMD makes the chips. So either they sell the chips to Apple alone, or they sell the chips to Apple and card makers. I don't see how anyone loses by having replacements on the market. Unless Apple wants to be the sole upgraded of the part, I guess.

And I thought these were AMD FirePro chips, not nVidia.

 

[ElderBrE]

Here is my prediction:

Apple hasn't upgraded the Mac Mini on Tuesday. With them ramping up this huge production chain in the US I would guess they will use the Mac Pro chassis for the upcoming Mac Mini refresh. It will be like the xMac everybody was dreaming about. Standard CPUs but discrete graphic cards (read: not the mobile chips found on the iMac).

What is "mini" about the cMP?

 

[Michael73]

I was pretty sure the PCIe storage is also user replaceable. In fact, if you look at the Apple website it would seem that that they've left open the possibility of adding a second PCIe storage device attached to the second graphics card. I'm even wondering if the option of having 1TB of storage is actually 2 x 512GB modules? If that's the case, it might make the crazy up charge worth it so in the future you could have the option of replacing 2 rather than one when larger sizes come 'round and prices fall.

 

[teknikal90]

i dont understand Apple's approach....

i understand why they want to shut down non-pro machines, or even the macbook 'pro' for that matter

but a workstation 'tower' that's locked down?? doesnt make any sense to me

 

[Cougarcat]

If they do ever exist, they will likely cost a fortune, especially if you can only get them through Apple.

 

[macchiato2009]

very surprising that a small French website like Mac4ever could have exclusive information nobody had so far...

 

[melendezest]

Apple and "user-upgradeable" are quickly becoming antonyms.

Wouldn't surprise me if they extend their philosophy to their "Pro" desktop. They already did it to their "pro" laptop after all.

They made a big deal of expansion being external in the keynote and advertising, so I take that as them saying that the tinkerer's Mac is dead. Sigh. But, we can always, always hope.

 

[chrmjenkins]

Well, AMD makes the chips. So either they sell the chips to Apple alone, or they sell the chips to Apple and card makers. I don't see how anyone loses by having replacements on the market. Unless Apple wants to be the sole upgraded of the part, I guess.

And I thought these were AMD FirePro chips, not nVidia.

Apple either loses out on a lost mac pro sale or the sale of an upgrade card (which has its own hefty margin built-in). It was easy to do before because it was only about the firmware, not the card form factor and connector.